After a 10-hour trip back to Trivandrum, we spent the night recuperating. The next morning we worked on both individual and group assignments. In the afternoon we visited the engineering and architecture college in Trivandrum where my professor, Jerry Anthony, earned his undergraduate degree in architecture. We were able to interact with undergraduate architecture and graduate planning students. They presented a plan for downtown revitalization that they had worked on all semester.
The next day, we heard from a retired town planner and the director of a local NGO that focuses on environmental planning. The second presentation was more beneficial as our presenter provided a synopsis of the environmental issues facing Kerala and his ideas on “the way out” of the current state of crisis. Major environmental problems in Kerala include poor system of waste management, pollution of water bodies, and a craze for building which lead to problems of sand mining, deforestation, and devouring of hills. His proposed solutions include an emphasis on democracy and participatory processes, developing democratic institutions, ensuring transparency, building alternate models to development and lifestyles, and increasing sensitivity of environmental and social ills to the people. While he expressed little hope for the future and the tone of his presentation was somber, his actions showed that he is energized about bringing about positive social and environmental change.
Our last night in Kerala was spent finalizing a group presentation for our hosts, the staff of COSTFORD, packing, and finally one last shopping spree to spend the rest of our ruppees and purchase any last minute souvenirs. We visited Chalai Bazaar once more and ended the night with some dessert, of course!
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